Home > Current Affairs News > CHP presidential candidate hopeful Çiçek gets an İmamoğlu surprise from his daughter: 'He became a candidate of his own volition'

CHP presidential candidate hopeful Çiçek gets an İmamoğlu surprise from his daughter: 'He became a candidate of his own volition'

Former CHP MP Dursun Çiçek has begun collecting signatures at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) after announcing his candidacy. Çiçek stated that his daughter, İrem Çiçek, supports Ekrem İmamoğlu. İrem Çiçek has since released a statement on the matter.

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Candidates have begun to emerge for the primary election to be held on March 23 to determine the CHP's presidential nominee.

Those who meet the candidacy requirements under the 'Presidential Election Law' and secure the signatures of at least 20 MPs from the CHP parliamentary group are eligible to apply.

Dursun Çiçek, a 25th and 26th term Istanbul MP, has announced he will challenge Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Çiçek, who declared his intention to participate in the CHP's presidential primary, has begun collecting signatures at the TBMM.

Stating that a primary with a single candidate would be neither democratic nor ethical, Çiçek said, "Therefore, forcing a primary with only one candidate puts both our party and the primary itself in a difficult position. I am experienced in primaries; I previously placed second in the 2nd district during the 2015 elections in Istanbul. I hope other candidates will emerge alongside Mr. İmamoğlu in this primary as well. We will all face more than 1.5 million CHP members together and determine our candidate. I am currently collecting signatures and will reach the 20 required. The fact that Parliament is closed has delayed the process, but we expect to finish by this evening; otherwise, we will continue tomorrow."

'5 MPS HAVE SIGNED'

Speaking at the Press Gate of the TBMM, Çiçek said, "Forcing a primary with a single candidate puts both our party and the primary in a difficult position. In that respect, we are experienced, just as we were in 2015. In this election, we will face our 1.5 million members in the primary alongside Mr. İmamoğlu. I am currently collecting signatures. The fact that Parliament is closed has delayed the process. We expect to finish by this evening. Some MPs have signed for my candidacy. We sent requests to 40 MPs and have received responses from 5."

'MY DAUGHTER SUPPORTS İMAMOĞLU'

Dursun Çiçek announced that his daughter, İrem Çiçek, supports Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Continuing his remarks, Çiçek said, "If he comes in first, I will also cast my vote for Ekrem İmamoğlu. She was saying 'Our candidate should be İmamoğlu' in the previous election as well. I respect her opinions. Our family is a democratic family." he added.

POST FROM DURSUN ÇİÇEK'S DAUGHTER İREM

Çiçek's daughter announced that her candidate is İmamoğlu. Here is İrem Çiçek's post:

"Tweets have started coming in after my father Dursun Çiçek's announcement that he is a candidate for the CHP presidential primary. Being a candidate is a primary step in democracy. He became a candidate of his own volition; I wish him success and send my best regards. As I have written before, I believe Ekrem İmamoğlu deserves to be the CHP presidential candidate and that he will win. I wish all candidates success in this democratic race. I also congratulate the CHP management for determining the candidate through a primary election."